Ohio University-Zanesville
COMS304 - Interviewing
Online

                                    
Note:  
This course has the same standards as a classroom course.  Those standards are not diminished in any way just because we meet online.  You will cover the same amount of material with the same requirements as the face-to-face class.   If you cannot organize your time accordingly, please do not take the course in this online format.  You have to complete all the assignments in order to complete the course. Failing to complete your assignment(s) result failing the course!

Instructor:  Sheida Shirvani, Ph.D.	Office Hours:   By email or chat room 
Office:  Elson Hall Room 117 D		Phone:  614-657-1173 
E-mail:  shirvani@ohio.edu (OUZ)		 Home: 614-492-1306 
https://bb7pilot.ohio.edu/
URL:  www.shirvani.com
		
COURSE OBJECTIVES
In this course, students will …
	-- develop an appreciation for the principles of interviewing;
	-- understand the techniques of interviewing;
	-- develop and assess interviewing skills with specific reference to 
		..  basic processes of communication
		..  planning and strategies
		..  conduct of an interview
		..  establishing an interview climate
		..  probing thoughtfully during an interview;
	-- develop the skills in decision making needed during an interview;
	-- develop practical skills in evaluating an interview; and
-- develop skills needed in preparation for an interview, such as resume writing, inquiry letters, acceptance and rejection letters, and thank-you letters.

Text:  Stewart, C.J and Cash, W.B.  (2006).  Interviewing Principles and Practice (Eleventh Edition).  Boston:  McGraw-Hill.
	ISBN:  - 139780072987768

AREAS OF EMPHASIS
..  Introduction to interviewing
..  Interviewing factors
..  Questioning
..  Types of interviews
..  Legal aspects of interviewing
..  Preparation of resume and cover letter
..  Different kind of interviews

COURSE REQUIREMENTS
..  Portfolio (90 points)  Post all your work on the WIKI page
..  Two interviews (2 @ 50 points = 100 points)
..  4- Quizzes (Q1, Q2, Q3 each 45 points Q4 65 points = 200 points)
..  Two crossword puzzles (words drawn from the textbook glossary – 2 @ 20 points = 40 points) 
..  Active participation:  
3 blackboard discussions – Minimum 3 contributions for each discussion board – Each contribution must be recorded different days for total of 9 contributions (30 points).  You will be graded base on quality and quantity both.  Example:  post your first discussion board on October 26, October 4, October 29 or November 3.
..  Total points (460 points)

           ..  Averages may be roughly determined from the following chart:

A   = 100% - 95%	A-  = 94% - 92%	B+ = 91% - 89% 	B  = 88% - 85%
B- = 84% - 82%	             C+ = 81% - 79%	C   = 78 % - 75%	C- = 74% - 72%
D+ = 71% - 69%	D   = 68% - 65%	D-  = 64% - 62%     	F   = 61% and below

It is important to note that no late or make-up Quizzes, performances, assignments will be accepted or permitted.  No extra credit work will be given.  Assignments turned in late will not be accepted unless there are extenuating circumstances.  IF I accept your late assignment you will loose 5 points for each day your assignment(s) is late.  For late submission you have to have my permission.  Final note in this area you have to work closely with blackboard 7.3 and submit ALL your work on blackboard via appropriate link.  It is your responsibilities to make sure your computer work with the system.  I do not accept excuses! If your computer, your time and responsibilities allow you to take this course intensive course please take this course otherwise I strongly suggest to take the course face-to-face or another time.  

POLICIES
..  At all times, the policies of Ohio University-Zanesville will be strictly followed.
..  Active participation in class activities is an important goal in this course.  
..  You do not have choice – You have to submit and participate in all assignments.    
..  Discussions on blackboard will be a major component of this course.  
..  All submitted work must be typewritten or word processed.
..  No makeup tests, interview or reports will be given.
..  The final examination will be given only at the date and time announced in the university class schedule.
..  Any student who may need an accommodation due to a disability, please provide a letter of accommodation from the office of the Disabilities Coordinator after the first class or before the first class time.  Zanesville students, If you have not met with Liesta Walker, please stop by the LAC, Room 116 in Elson Hall, so that your needs can be met.   Students from other campuses please contact your Disabilities Coordinator and arrange to have your letter to be sent to me as soon as possible.

CLASS FORMAT
Because there is a large amount of materials and assignments are due in this class, please organize your time accordingly.  Please note the due dates for interview(s).  Do not miss these day(s) for any reason!  Please arrange your schedule accordingly to permit adequate research and organization time.  All materials will be online and you must submit all materials in this course on blackboard 7.3

EXAMS, WRITING ASSIGNMENTS and GRADES 
Although I fully understand the personal and work demands on full-time and adult students, please keep in mind that this course has standards which must be met.  The majority of the course material is covered in the text.  However, some information will be posted on blackboard.  You are responsible for reading the textbook.  There will be a number of flyers, outlines, case studies posted on Blackboard for your study and preparation throughout the course.  You are responsible for all material presented in the course by handouts or other means.  I encourage you to get to know your fellow students, so that you will have a source for discussions and help should you find it impossible to understand the materials or the instructions are not clear enough for you.  
		
EXAM:
There will be no examinations during the quarter, but you must conduct and videotape two interviews (50 points each).  The first of these is near midterm; the other is near the final.  There will be 4 quizzes during this quarter.  All quizzes consist of objective questions and T/F.  Exam questions will be based on material presented in the book and assigned readings.

		 

INTERVIEWS: 
You will interview someone outside of the class.  You are not allowed to interview your clergy person, your family members or friends.  You must prepare and write out interview questions, considering the environment of the interview, and also prepare possible follow-up questions.  The topic for each interview must be different.
  
One of the interviews is due near the middle of the term; the other is due at the time scheduled for the course’s final exam.  Both interviews must be videotaped then up load on the blackboard via proper link provided for you.  It is your responsibility to convert any taping and upload your video to the blackboard.  If you are not computer or technology savvy please learn and contact technology office and familiarize yourself to the technology.  I am not responsible for your work.
  
Contact organizations or individuals to set this interview prior to the due date.  Make sure the persons you are going to interview is comfortable and willing to guaranty you with these interviews.  After your interview, write a 5-page (minimum) report on the interview.  The paper has to cover the questions you asked and the reasons for them, including probing questions you asked during the interview.  Also, you need to provide information on the setting, environment, and cultural climate of the interview.  Finally, cover problems and corrections you see as necessary to strengthen future interviews.  Why do you think your interviews were or were not successful?  Also indicate the objectives and goal in these interviews.  The papers should be free of typographic or grammatical errors.  Help is available to students in the Learning Resource Center.  Please use this facility to help yourself create better papers.  Attached the final questions to your written paper and submit your interviews with your report for grading.  

The following are the areas in which you may do the two interviews.  

Selection interview
Survey interview
Problem solving 
Persuasive interview
Health interview
Journalism interview
Counseling interview
Sales interview
Diagnostic interview
Performance interview
Discipline interview
Termination interview
Group interview

Choose only one of the topics for each interview

Interviewing courses have unlimited opportunities for real-life interview projects outside of the classroom.  Faculty, administrators, students, neighbors, personnel directors, counselors, journalists, editors, recruiters, sales representatives, attorneys, police officers, patients, and others serve willingly as interviewees.  They like to see you taking textbook and classroom learning into the field.  This project can also help you learn how to conduct research or to make career decisions by interviewing persons in their field of study.  Important note:  For the interview tapes, pan out (zoom out) with the camera set up in the middle of the room so we are able to see both you and your interviewee.  Be sure the microphone is working so both your and the interviewee’s voices are being recorded intelligibly.  You will lose points if these two requirements are not met.  

These assignments are designed to give you an opportunity to conduct two real life, non-role-playing interviews outside the classroom.  The value of these assignments to you and your training in interviewing depends entirely on you.  You will select the topic, develop the appropriate schedule of questions, select interviewees, and conduct the interviews.  It will be a waste of time only if you decide not to take the assignment seriously.  It can be the most valuable experience of the course and perhaps of your college career.  Field interviews often lead to internships, summer positions, and positions upon graduation.  But, you need to take the interviews seriously.  The opportunity has been set up for you.  It is up to you to take advantage of it and achieve an outcome for your future.

You have complete freedom in selecting any topic above or any other topic, approach, schedule, and interviewee(s) so you will not feel forced to do a project you perceive to be of little value to you.  The burden is on you to make this a valuable assignment.   The following are my suggestion for consideration prior to starting the interviews.  

For best quality and outcome, follow these steps.  These steps are critical to the value and success of your projects. 

1.	Select a project option and topic.  A single in-depth interview lasts approximately 20-25 minutes.  
2.	Select a topic or issue of interest to you.  It may or may not be interview-related.  Perhaps it will help you making an important career decision
3.	Do necessary background research and reading.  This project provides you with an opportunity to study interview types we will not address at length online.
4.	Explain which option you have selected and what your topic will be.  How will your interview time of 20-25 minutes be divided?
5.	Explain your motivation for selecting this option and how you hope to use the information gathered.  For instance, is it for discovering interviewing methods or effects, self-enrichment, research for another class, learning about career options, or determining a future course of action?
6.	Who do you plan to interview?  How many people do you plan to interview?  If you cannot name names at this time, list characteristics of ideal interviewees:  small-business owner, sales representative, academic counselor, police officer, basketball coach, researcher, recruiter, health care professional, etc.
7.	When and where do you plan to conduct these interviews?
8.	Describe any problems, which might arise with this project, such as time, distance, and availability of interviewees.
9.	Prepare a schedule of questions.  The questions have to be attached to your report.
10.	Provide a brief introductory paragraph explaining which question sequences(s) you selected and why.
11.	Develop your question schedule in outline format with primary questions to the left side of the paper and secondary questions indented to the right.
12.	Your schedule needs to be as lengthy as necessary to accomplish the task you have set for yourself.  For example, a single in-depth interview will require a longer schedule than a series of 15-20 minutes interview.
13.	Conduct one or more interviews
14.	The length of each interview depends upon the assignment option you select.
15.	Do not interview two or more people at the same time.
16.	 Interview friends and relatives who will feel free to give you a rough time and may wander from the topic, perhaps demanding to know how you would answer your own questions.  If you deviate from your prepared schedule, be sure to write down these questions so they can be noted later. 
17.	Prepare a written post-interview report.  Make sure the following comments are in your report.
18.	Provide a copy of your final schedule of questions, including unplanned questions placed within brackets.  Indicate which of your original questions you did not ask and why
•	Who did you interview and why?
•	What opening techniques did you use and why?
•	What closing techniques did you use and why?
•	How did you record information received?
•	Describe the communication that occurred between you and your interviewees
•	What, if any, unforeseen problems occurred?  How did you handle them?
•	How did locations affect your interviews?
•	If you were doing this assignment over again, what would you do differently?
•	Take this assignment seriously.  Do not postpone, treat this assignment as real interview.  
•	If this was a hiring interview and you missed it up you would not be hired.  If you miss this assignment you would not get good grade either. Be professional!
•	Either post your video tape on blackboard or mail it to 

		Dr. Sheida Shirvani
		1378 Hackworth St.
		Columbus Ohio  43207

*Due date for first video is October 11 – Your video must arrive to above address by 5 pm or 12 midnight post on digital dropbox.
*Due date for second video is November 20 – Your video must arrive to above address by 5 pm or 12 midnight post on digital dropbox.

E- PORTFOLIO:
Create a Wiki page on blackboard with your Portfolio posted on
	You need to include the following items in your portfolio:			
•	Two different types of resumes (one functional format and the second one either chronological format or combination of functional and chronological format).  One of the resume must be functional and the other one can be creative and match to your skills
•	List three references
•	One cover letter
•	One thank-you letter
•	One letter of resignation
•	Two different types of memos (choose the topic and title yourself)
•	Write a letter of recommendation for a colleague or anyone you know
•	One page philosophical statement of your work ethic
•	Describing your strengths and weaknesses 
•	Write an ad for the position for which you would like to hire someone

MAKE-UP QUIZ AND LATE ASSIGNMENTS
Under no circumstances you can make up a quiz or assignments.  Meet the deadlines and do not ask for extra time.  Late work will result in a lower grade determined by the number of overdue days accrued.  Please see the rule on above pages. Under no circumstances I give quiz early or late.  Arrange your own time and make sure you have access to computer during the quizzes.  

MEETINGS AND ASSIGNMENTS (Tentative Schedule)
Date	Assignments Title 	
	First day of the course --  Introduction to Interview –  Chapter 1  Finish your reading!	
	Introduction email.  Please confirm that you are going to stay in this class.  With confirmation means you make contract that ALL assignments will be completed and they are all will be on time.  No excuses!  You will be an active participant in this course. 
No favor! Taking  quizzes early or late.  
Post your short bio on blackboard.
	
	An Interpersonal Communication Process – Chapter 2   Finish your reading!	
	Questions and Their Uses – Chapter 3   Finish  your reading!	
	Structuring the Interview – Chapter 4   Finish your reading!	
	First Quiz over chapters 1-3	
	First blackboard discussion is due – Minimum of 3 contribution by Sept 30, 08	
	The Probing Interview – Chapter 5   Finish  your reading!	
	The Survey Interview  -- Chapter 6  Finish  your reading!	
	Midterm -- First video tape is due – you video must be posted on blackboard no later than October 11, 08 by midnight  --  Or in my home address before 5 pm this  day.	
	First Xword is due by October 14, 2008 post on the assignment link	
	Second blackboard discussion is due  --  Minimum of 3 contribution by Oct 25, 08	
	The Recruiting Interview  -- Chapter 7  Finish  your reading!	
	Second Quiz over chapters 4-6	
	The Employment Interview – Chapter 8    Finish your reading!	
	The Performance Interview – Chapter 9   Finish your reading!	
	The Persuasive Interview:  The Persuader – Chapter 10 Finish your reading!	
	Third Quiz over chapters 7-9	
	The Persuasive Interview:  The Persuadee –Chapter 11 Finish your reading!	
	The Counseling Interview  -- Chapter 12  Finish your reading!	
	Third blackboard discussion is due   -- Minimum of 3 contribution by Nov 16, 2008	
	The Health Care Interview  -- Chapter 13   Finish your reading!	
	Second Xword is due is by November 11, 2008 Post on the assignment link	
	Your portfolio is due by November 4, 2008 on Wiki page you created	
	Fourth Quiz over chapters 10-13	
	Second video tape is due –  your video must be posted on blackboard no later than November 20, 08 by midnight  Or in my home address before 5 pm this day.	

ONLINE TIPS
This course is designed for serious and motivated students who are committed to completing readings, online assignments, tests and papers in a timely and thoughtful manner.  By registering for this course, you have indicated your understanding of this fact and your commitment to being an active and prepared participant.  Please take the Online Readiness Questionnaire at the end of the syllabus to assess your personal readiness for taking a course via the Internet.  Two other important documents are also at the end:  How to Survive an Online Course, and Steps to Setting Up and Using Your Oak Email & Blackboard Account.

Because this course is being offered online, it is your responsibility to keep current on assignments and meet all  deadlines posted on the website. Failure to meet posted deadlines results in a failing grade for the assignment.  

Online Activities and Responsibilities:  Because this course is being offered online, it is your responsibility to keep current on assignments and meet all deadlines posted on the website. Failure to meet posted deadlines results in a failing grade for the assignment.  

•	Because this course involves online exercises which elaborate on the materials in the text, you must remain up-to-date on the assigned readings so you can participate with your classmates in the activities and online discussions. 

•	Students are responsible for adapting to any changes in due dates, tests, assignments, weight of assignments, and schedules. Such changes will be posted on the class website.

•	Students are responsible for accessing the class website regularly to check for class messages, updated assignments, and view grades. If you have problems with your password or user ID in accessing the website, please phone the OUZ Computer Help Desk.

•	If you have a question or concern and you do not need an immediate response (i.e., within six hours), email me.  However, if you need an immediate answer and/or the question is long/complex, call me at home.

Online Participation    is required.  Please be considerate of others' viewpoints. I encourage you to respond to others' experiences and ideas. If something offends you, please respond in an appropriate manner. If something interests you, let us know! Participating will increase your learning.  Participation includes such things as providing personal examples, asking questions, challenging or critiquing ideas, thoughtfully completing online activities, and even helping others.

Written Assignments:  All written assignments must be in Word format, double-spaced, 12-font. These assignments will be graded on both content and writing style. Because writing is so important to a successful career, grammatical errors, spelling errors, typos, incorrect punctuation, and the like will be deducted from your total grade for a written assignment. 

•	All written assignments must be submitted in Word format in the area provided on the class website https://bb7pilot.ohio.edu/

•	No work sent via e-mail will be accepted.  If you do not know how to work with Blackboard, please to learn use it before taking the course.

•	You are required to save hard copies of all your assignments, and backed-up copies on disk or CD. Do NOT save files on your hard-drive only.

•	Save documents with your name and the title of the assignment, e.g., Marc Smith On-Line #1 Pygmalion Effect; or Moonbeam Baja Journal #1,Stop Communicating 

•	All written assignments must be the original work of the student and may not be submitted concurrently in any other class without the specific written permission of both instructors.  Plagiarism or ghost writing will cause failure of that assignment and may result in failure of the course and other administrative actions. Please refer to the Ohio University Student Handbook for a discussion of penalties for unethical student conduct. 

Tests:  All tests (quiz) will be taken only online. All tests must be taken at the scheduled times. Each test will consist of multiple choice and/or short answer and/or essay questions. Tests will cover content from the text and information provided in chapter outlines and online activities. No make-up tests are permitted.

ASSIGNMENTS

Please remember to submit all assignments by the dates indicated on the course schedule.  These deadlines are included in two areas on the class Blackboard site:  a.  syllabus -  b.   blackboard – syllabus area a chart 

How to submit your assignments:
	
1.	click on Assignment
2.	click on particular assignment (e.g. crossword)
3.	click on crossword # ? and solve the crossword
4.	copy and paste on word document
5.	save the file with rich text file (RTF)
6.	click on the next crossword (under heading says—post your crossword here)
7.	click on browse
8.	open the file you want to submit
9.	save and sumbit

Grades will be posted under the “Tools” section where you can click on “Check Grades” to find your score.

DISCUSSION BOARD ASSIGNMENTS RULES:

You can access the class Discussion Board two different ways: (1) Click on “Discussion Board” on the menu bar; or (2) Click on “Communication” on the menu bar and then click on “Discussion Board”.   Click on the topic you wish to respond to and then click on “Add New Forum” to post your response.  To respond to a classmate’s posting, click on their posting, then click on “Reply”.  

Discussion Board points will be assigned based on your INTERACTION with your classmates on the topics – not simply posting your own response to the question.  I will grade your participation based upon quantity and quality. The Discussion Board is meant to serve as our method for engaging in a dialogue at a distance in much the same way we would hold a discussion during a face-to-face class session.  Please be sure to visit the Discussion Board area at least THREE DIFFERENT TIMES (different days) during the Discussion board is posted.  You should be responding to a minimum of two (2) classmates’ responses in addition to your own comments.  Simply responding “I agree” is an insufficient response – indicate your reasons for agreeing (or disagreeing!).  For quality, I will be looking for responses that (a) demonstrate you have read the textbook, (b) reflect on content and/or classmates' responses and (c) stimulate further class discussion. Remember: this is our chance to have a class discussion at a distance!  Please respect one another’s opinions on the Discussion Board – do not attack or criticize your classmates for their comments.  Respect individuals’ rights to have opinions or viewpoints that are unique – these unique viewpoints are what make class interesting!  For quantity, I look for times you respond (min 3 times) different days and time of day you visited the topic.

Instructions:

A Wiki is a website where you can create and edit public and private wiki pages.  That means can post and edit information about virtually anything you wish, and you can read what others have posted, too.  Groups are private Wiki areas.  You may create private areas for collaboration with a limited set of people.

Blackboard 7 allows us to create a Wiki page therefore I am taking advantages of this tool and asking the class to use Wiki page and create four pages newsletter for this class.  I have already put you into a group of four.  You need to communicate with the other members and create your newsletters.  I will also create a list of topics for newsletters.

Develop your Portfolio on Wiki like a E-Portfolio.  You are free to use pictures, video, text, graphics, interviews, etc.  The more creative you are, the more attractive your E-Portfolio will be.  

 This project is worth 90 points. You will be graded on the content, creativity, and meeting the requirements listed on the portfolio assignment.  

I am able to follow the history of all Wiki pages.  I will monitor your Wiki activity (logins, edits, contributions by each individual so do not slack off.    

Note: Use the blog to discuss and to ask for information from other students in the class.  Use blog to solve your problem and hope others guide you to develop your portfolio.

Technical Note:  Every time you finish a posting or edit, please make sure you log off both the Wiki and Blackboard so your other group members can add or edit materials.  If you do not logoff, the other members are blocked from the Wiki.

Introduction    

I have created a wiki, so you can contribute to it by adding text, hyperlinks, images, and embedded media.  You will be able to contribute to the wiki when the wiki is made available to you and your group.

Editing a Wiki

1.	Enter a course.
2.	Click a content area (Information) to locate a wiki.
3.	Click the View link for the wiki.
4.	Click the Edit link in the wiki sidebar.
5.	Enter information into the text box by typing or copying and pasting.
6.	If you copied text from a Microsoft Word document, click  and press Crl+v to paste the text. If you copied text from another type of document, click  (Ctrl+v) to paste.
7.	Click Save to save your changes to the wiki.

Adding  Hyperlinks

1.	To insert a hyperlink, highlight the text that you want to link to another page.
2.	Click . (first button on toolbar).
3.	If the link is to a new internal page, select the Link to a new page option and enter the page name in the Page Name field. This creates the new page and the link to that page.  
4.	If the link is to a page that was created previously, select the Link to an existing page option and select the page from the list of pages. 
5.	If the link is to an external web site, select the Link to an external web site option and enter the address in the URL field.
6.	Click the Insert button.
7.	When done, click the Save button.

Inserting Images

1.	Click the Edit in the wiki sidebar.
2.	Click . (fourth button on toolbar).
3.	If the image is stored on your computer, select the Upload an image option and click the Browse button.
4.	In the File Upload dialog box, navigate to and select the image.
5.	If linking to an image on another website, select the Include an image from an external web site option.
6.	Enter the address in the URL field
7.	For any image, enter a description in the alt text field.
8.	Click the Upload button.
9.	Click the Insert button.
10.	When done, click the Save button.  

Successful Traits:

Self-directed and disciplined — You should plan to spend at least as much time completing assignments and reading your chapters as you would in a traditional classroom.  You will need to be self directed and disciplined to complete assignments on schedule.
Organized — You will need to be able to organize your time, plot, out how much material you need to cover, and set weekly and monthly schedules so that you complete assignments.
Independent --- You will be expected to work independently without a lot of promoting.
Enjoys  reading --- The ability to read and comprehend subject matter is critical in this course.
Enjoys writing --- The primary method of communication in online classes is writing; whether via e-mail, online chats or Blackboard discussion boards.
Comfortable with computers – You will need to be comfortable with internet browsing and searching, sending and reading attachments, word processing, and downloading installing software plug-ins.

Your learning style

Everyone has different learning styles.  You should attempt to identify your learning style and choose the courses that are better suited to your particular learning style.  There are two types of learning modes active and passive

Active leaning includes the following learning styles:  Doing and Speaking
Passive learning modes tend not to be as effective for most people as the active learning mode when it comes to retention:  Seeing, Reading, and Listening

Many online learners are employed in their fields of study and are able to apply their newfound knowledge to their work.  As a result many online learners say they learn more in online classes than in the traditional classroom.  Many online classes rely heavily on passive learning: reading text, listening to audio clips, seeing graphics, etc. Active learning modes involve writing, email, and online chat room in this mode.  You need to be aware of your learning style so you can apply it in this class.  Thank you.

External links for website.

http://hiresolutionsllc.com/CR_Interview_tips.html